Kelvin Ang, director of URA’s conservation management department, said: “Conserving built heritage is an integral part of Singapore’s development. These buildings are enduring touchstones of our shared history, culture and identity, providing continuity amid change. Safeguarding them ensures that future generations remain connected to our past, even as the city evolves.”
“In this case, the parties’ egregious breach of the law led to the irrevocable loss of the original heritage fabric of a rare historic pre-war building that had endured through time,” Mr Ang said.
“While the building may eventually be reconstructed, its authentic historic materials cannot be recovered or replicated, and new materials will have to be used in its rebuilding,” he added.
“The parties had knowingly contravened URA’s conservation guidelines and wilfully proceeded with the unauthorised works, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the regulations. URA has taken firm enforcement action against them to uphold the integrity of the guidelines.”
